I decided to make the high-waisted straight skirt from the free pattern in issue 4 of “Sew” magazine. I checked the size guide in the magazine and decided to make the 14 as it gave the size to be 28″ waist and 38.75″ hips. A little snug for me but figured I could let it out a little.

To cut a long story short, after stitching the back to the front I tried it on for fit. It was WAY too big! I did try taking in the side seams but I had to alter them so much the shape of the skirt didn’t look right. In frustration I unpicked the zip and threw the rest of it in the bin.

So, is it the pattern or is it me? Normally I would measure the pattern pieces before cutting out because from experience I know that the envelope back isn’t always accurate. Annoyingly, I couldn’t this time as the pattern didn’t show any waist or hip placement markings and the pattern didn’t mention how high on the waist the skirt was meant to sit.

I will attempt this skirt again and just cut it to a smaller size, but if anyone has any tips on how to measure a pattern without the markings I would be really greatful. Sew magazine gives fab free patterns with every issue but it looks as though they all have this same little problem.

Doris (my brand new Lady Valet dressform) is fab. I love her to bits. But her boobs just aren’t big enough. When she arrived this week I measured myself and faithfully dialled those measurements onto Doris. I proudly showed her off to hubby and said “look – she’s the same shape as me now”.

“Actually, she’s not” he said “you’re not that shape at all”. Well, I suppose he would know.

I measured myself again and checked against Doris’s dials. Everything seemed to be correct so what was the problem?

Then I realised – I’m an E cup and poor old Doris is about a B. The measurements were right but the curves weren’t. What to do?

Do what any self-respecting girl does – get a padded bra!

By the way – that rotten velvet bodice has been reconciled to the carrier bag. I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever be able to sew with velvet again.

My friend Sheena had a bit of a fashion dilemma. Hubby had a new job and they were due to attend his work’s Christmas party. She wanted to look good in front of his colleagues but couldn’t find a thing to wear.

One morning she plonked a catalogue down on my desk and pointed to this dress …

“I’m not keen on the colour myself” she said “and I don’t really like the hem either, but it’s the only dress I’ve seen that’s anywhere near what I’m looking for”. I spotted the price. They want £89 for it???

So I said it.

“I’ll make one for you” I told her “it’ll be the colour you want, the hemline you want and it’ll cost you a fraction of that one”. I showed her Simplicity pattern 3529 and she loved it.

“The thing is” Sheena said “I’d really like it to be backless like the one in the catalogue, to show off my tattoo”. Hmm, now this pattern doesn’t have a backless version so I was going to have to work out how best to do it. This would be the biggest design alteration I’d made so I’d really set myself up for a challenge. But with a bit of help from my tutor Babs I managed it.

I created a toile first to sort out any “kinks” in my alterations (another first – I’ve never made a toile before). Sheena and I also decided not to have a tie-back dress as the ties would just obscure her tattoo, defeating the point of having a backless dress.

I’ve hummed and ha-ad about getting one for ages but kept telling myself it was an extravagance I really didn’t need. How wrong was I?? I’ve been making a Christmas dress for a friend and have been using a dressform in evening class to work on it (post still to come). I was sold!

So, I pooled my Christmas money (thank you family) and ordered one from Jaycotts on Christmas Eve. Doris arrived this afternoon.

She’s already wearing a half-finished velvet top that’s been sitting in a carrier bag for about two years – maybe I’ll get it finished now.

….. and Chloe’s not too thrilled about the prospect. To try and soften the blow I’ve offered to make her school skirts this year. The skirts we usually buy are never “right” – usually too long or scratchy material etc etc.

We’ve agreed on a pattern (McCall’s M5696 – View A) which I’ve made for her before (pic pending), it fits and she likes.

We nipped into town this morning and picked up 1.5m of black polyester from Lee Mill which should be enough for two skirts. They’re really easy to make and can probably finish one in an afternoon. I may start one this afternoon or we may go to the Marquis for our tea instead (the boys are going to watch football so perhaps a girly afternoon is in order). I’ve got two weeks before she goes back to school so plenty of time. In the meantime I have floors to mop and an Everest-size pile of ironing calling my name ……